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Born at 24 weeks and 3 days otherwise known as a micro-preemie, weight less than 500 grams with a very uncertain future. I became one of the first to survive and thrive in the 80's. I was featured in McCall’s magazine as well as in numerous medical journals throughout 1981-1983.
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Hired into Disneyland in 1999 as a seasonal employee, needed to make money while I was home from school. -
Left for college with every intention of continuing on to Medical School and becoming an anesthesiologist. -
I hit the books and kept my eye on the prize, until the unexpected happened.
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I was given the greatest gift of all, Motherhood! I never had the intention of having children, I thought I was gonna work hard and play harder. Life had different plans. -
Decided to become a Telemetry Tech with nursing being a possibility. Started at Western Medical Center Santa Ana AKA OCGMC in the ICU/CCU.
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Decided that I would give nursing a go. Enrolled in community college to start those prerequisites again.
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After dating for 5 years we decided to tie the knot! -
Side-lined again, looks like school will have to wait cause motherhood has taken over. -
We decided to concentrate on family and have our children close together. -
Had our fourth and final child and decided to close up shop. -
Receiving an Autism diagnosis for son Liam at almost 3 years old. This stopped us in our tracks, we had no idea how to move forward or what to do next. -
Feeling the financial burden of therapies and experiencing how broken our healthcare system is, I had to start working 6-7 days a week to make ends meet. There was no room for school.
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The Spring of 2020 hit and it was finally my turn. With the need to make more money and the want to provide for my family I really wanted to become a nurse!
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Covid closed down the world which allowed me to work and go to class on zoom. I was able to see more of the healthcare side then ever before. -
In 2020, 2 out of 4 of my kiddos tested positive for Brugada Syndrome Type II, this rare genetic heart condition and was something I passed on to them. One top of this rare condition both him and his brother have PAPVR (Partial Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Return). He seemed so un-phased going into cath lab. -
Finished redoing the prerequisites and was able to start applying to nursing schools within a 60 miles radius of my home.
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My kiddo was diagnosed with Absent Seizures which resulted in Grand mal seizures. This kid took this diagnosis in stride and now, thankfully, he has been off meds and seizure free for almost a year. -
My other Brugada Syndrome Type II and PAPVR kiddo going in for his cath lab work up. -
Started in the Sub ICU at Hoag Newport Beach, I wanted to branch out and see what it was like at other hospitals. -
Started at Kaiser, started to give up on nursing and had to start thinking about my future as a Tele Tech.
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Applied to Nursing School for 4 years before getting accepted. My denials were very generic stating that I “was not selected for entry and to try again next application process” this was extremely frustrating and discouraging. Throughout this process I applied to 11 schools twice a year for 4 years all resulting in a denial. Talk about a confidence buster!
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FINALLY got accepted into Nursing School!
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I had to quit Kaiser because working the skeleton schedule wasn't going to mesh well with school, but I told them I’d be back one day!
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First day of nursing school! I have all of the feels, excited, nervous, apprehensive and extremely worried about how I’m going to juggle 2 jobs, motherhood, wifehood, family time and school. -
Finishing out the first semester and making great friends! I truly could not have done any of it without the support of these wonderful people in my life. Here’s to the next 3 semesters! 🥂 -
Decided to do the dual enrollment for the BSN. I really want to finish and hit the ground running.
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Hope to graduate with my ADN and continue on with my BSN
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I hope to start in the new grad programs at OCGMC
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Hope to graduate with my BSN
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I hope to being to train in invasive devices like hypothermia, CRRT, IABPs and Impellas
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I hope to start training as a cardiac nurse
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I hope to go back to school for my Acute Care NP
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Have no clue what comes after that but I’m sure I’ll think of something! Start thinking about retirement…..haha, ya right!